News

Bill will protect churches

March 25, 2021

The Senate voted overwhelmingly to protect churches as essential in the state of Oklahoma. Senate Bill 368, by David Bullard, R-Durant, creates the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act, prohibiting declaration of religious institutions as nonessential. SB 368 prohibits any governmental entity from declaring or deeming a religious institution and any activity directly related to the institution’s…

Human Resources change

March 25, 2021

A bill that modernizes the state employee human resources system passed unanimously in the House. House Bill 1146, or the Civil Service and Human Capital Modernization Act, is authored by Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond. Osburn said the bill updates human resources processes for about 36,000 state employees. It creates better flexibility for state agencies in…

Social media website bill

March 25, 2021

The full Senate approved legislation by Sen. Rob Standridge allowing social media users to sue for damages against any social media website that censors a user’s political or religious speech. Standridge, R-Norman, authored Senate Bill 383 to eliminate selective censorship of opinion on social media and to ensure free speech is treated fairly. “Oklahomans…

U.S. Protestant pastors see gender change as immoral

March 25, 2021 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As legislatures in Washington, D.C. and across the country discuss issues surrounding individuals who identify as a gender different from their biological sex, a clear majority of U.S. Protestant pastors see such gender fluidity as morally wrong. In a study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research, around 3 in 4 Protestant pastors say identifying…

Pastor Jackson Lahmeyer to run vs. Sen. James Lankford

March 25, 2021

Pastor Jackson Lahmeyer has announced that he will run against U.S. Sen. James Lankford for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2022. Lahmeyer has been endorsed by retired General Michael Flynn. Lahmeyer said that Lankford, a Baptist minister who used to run Falls Creek Christian Camp, is a good man but not strong…

OSU Commencement is May 7-8

March 25, 2021

STILLWATER — OSU Stillwater spring commencement ceremonies are slated to be outdoors May 7-8 at Boone Pickens Stadium. A number of new protocols are in place as the university prepares for in-person ceremonies. In addition to spring and summer degree candidates this May, class of 2020 graduates may participate as capacity allows. Spring and summer…

Tulsa Boys Home Annual Lunch

March 25, 2021

The public is invited to the Tulsa Boys Home Annual Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show April 22 at Oaks Country Club. For reservations, call Jacki Van Cura at 918-645-4753.

CMA is seeking Easter donations

March 25, 2021

The Christian Ministers Alliance will host their Annual Easter Giveaway at 6 p.m. March 30 at Gilcrease Baptist Church, 2001 W. Newton Ave. The Rev. LeRon West is the host pastor. CMA President The Rev. W.R. Casey, Jr., said the alliance has adopted 60 Tulsa Public Schools, 8 Union Schools and 4 Bixby Schools. They…

Seniors adapting to the coronavirus

March 25, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s not easy getting old. When times are bad they’re worse for the elderly and no better example is there than the times in which we’ve been living for the past twelve months or so—in the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s no doubt that the older you are the more physically…

Medicaid approval goes to OHCA

March 25, 2021

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) is the first Medicaid agency in the nation to submit and receive approval to provide Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for all FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment (MAT) prescriptions through opioid treatment programs and office-based opioid treatment settings. This will increase access to care for opioid disorder treatment services for SoonerCare members….